Typewriter



Ap 2, 1940. E. LOEWENSTEIN TYPEWRITER Filed March 8, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fe/c ZOEn/ENSTE/N,

PATENT AGENI.

I April 2, 1940. E; LOEWENSTEIN TYPEWRITER 7 Filed March a, 19:59 I s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fR/c ZOEWEA/STE/N. BY a PATENT HGENI April 2, 1940. E. LOEWENSTEIN TYPEWRITER Filed March 8, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A INVENIOR f'R/c ZOEWENSTE/N.

PATENT AGENT:

'6 the cylindrical platen inside and between the Furthermore, besides overcoming the disadvan- Patenteri Aprilz, 1941i I i A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 8, 1939, Serial No. 260,613

, InGermany 11111.27, 1.938

7 Claims. (01. 197-153) The present'invention relates to improvements ends of the sliding carriage stroke; however, it in typewriters, and particularly to a device to be is more expedient or desirable to get said movenxed on typewriters for the print of copies by ment in the usual manner, namely, with each means of typewriter ribbons which run alongside touch of the keys.

copies in addition to the ribbon printing the tages regarding the guidance of the additional original. ribbons alongside the platen, another problem to These additional ribbons are spooled'on ribbon be dealt with was the guidance of the additional spools fixed on the machine-frame. These ribribbons between the guiding devices, which work 10 bons are directed by means of said spools and alongside the sliding carriage and the spools, 10 between mechanism maintaining them alongside because the loose loops or folds of the ribbon the platen and the ribbon spools; they are fixed entangle themselves and thus disturb the movein a way enabling the sliding carriage to move ment. on its guides. Specially when spooling the ribbon it may bewith constructions of this kind the problem come entangled and there might be the danger 16 presents itself of separating the various copies that the ribbon will enter the guiding device. when being inserted between platen and feed- Since it cannot pass in this state, the movement roller or paper guide, in such a way that between of the carriage and spool are suspended. The the additional ribbons and platen those copies movements of the sliding carriage are also hin- 20 are put which are to be printed by the additional dered by loose ribbon folds and these folds may 20 ribbons. be damaged to suchan extent that the ribbon There must be provided means to render'these becomes useless. There is also a possibility of additional ribbons ineffective. Special attention soiling the operators hands and the paper when must be given to the guidance of the additional touching the loops. Therefore the loops also 2.5 ribbons because it has been proved that they need tobeguided to exclude the above-mentioned follow the line spacing and are moved out of the drawbacks. printing position. In accordance with the possi- It is, therefore, a main object of the present bility to make use of the printing effects of both invention to provide copying mechanism in a sides of the additional ribbons, heretofore there typewriter which mechanism is capable of emhave been provided transparent copysheets, the ciently producing copies of the original simul- 30 print appearing as a negative being thus made taneously therewith.

legible- In those as s, in h ch th s s n t 130 It is a further object of the present invention be do e, t s b p p d 0 Cover p c to provide in such machanism cooperative means the additional ribbon. In such a case however for separating the paper sheets on which the complicated devices were needed to fix the covertype and the ribbons work, guiding thereby said ing rlbbOn- Therefore it is further necessary 150 sheets and ribbons properly and precisely to overconstruct this device so that the covering ribbon come certain prominent disadvantages heretofore can be fixed with a simple manipulation. known in the art of such devices.

Heretofore difiiculties could not be overcome It is still a further object of the present invenwith p t to the guidance of the ribbon alongtion to provide means for temporarily eliminat- 40 side the platen. For, while the ribbon should be ing or making inactive the additional ribbons taut, on the other hand it must be possible to when so desired f a difl t switch the nbbon over independently of the These and other objects and advantages of the mWement of the ribbqn h invention will appear from the following disclog i z i ia g; sure thereof together with the attached drawings fig g a g i gz g g ig g with which illustrate certain forms of embodiments a' certain tension which was strong enough to -F These forins are shown for the purpose keep the ribbon alongside the platen taut; but of illustrating the invention since the same has so this did not prevent the movement of the spools fund Practice give satisfactqry and having its effect on the movement of the ribbon. rename results although is m be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the To obtain this exacttension, considerable difliculties were encountered. invention consists can be variously arranged and Apart from this, on ha to satisfied, th t t organized and that the invention is not limited 5.; movement of the ribbon was effected on both to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrimientalities as herein shown and described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa planview of the sliding carriage arrangement for a typewriter and of the spools fixed in the frame of the typewriter made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of Fig. 1 partly in section.

Fig. 3 shows the front view oi Fig. l with one end of the sliding carriage.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a side elevation of a detail of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows the same part and the adjacent parts of the sliding carriage in a working position of the additional ribbons.

Fig. 7 shows the same arrangement as Fig. 6, the additional ribbon however being in a position to be made inactive.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the end or lowermost position of the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged sectional view in elevation along line 9--8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 shows a vertical sectional view taken across the axis of the platen of certain parts at the beginning of the turning of said platen necessary for the insertion of several sheets of papers to be typewritten.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 after the insertion is accomplished.

It has already been mentioned that the different paper sheets when inserted into the space between platen and feed roller, forming a kind of paper guide, have to be separated in a manner, such-that there are, between additional ribbons and platen, those sheets which have to be printed by the additional ribbons. This does not, of course, apply to those copy sheets which, as they are transparent, become legible, when their back surface is printed in negative. For these copy sheets, seen in the direction of the ribbon printing the original are placed before the additional ribbons, so-that the insertion of these sheets does not offer any dimoulties. Heretoiore, the necessary separation of the various paper sheets has been effected by arranging paper guides in addition to the usual one, or by allowing said sheets to be spaced for the sliding ribbons.

The arrangement of additional paper guides,

however, oifered diillculties, because these guides like the usual paper guides have to allow the feed rollers to work. As, however, the paper sheets when being inserted try to move in the direction of the tangent to the platen and besides this, have the tendency to curve, it became inevitable that the edges of the thin sheets of copy paper hit the edges of the paper guides so that these paper sheets were caused to rumple and to be spoiled.

The sliding ribbon, on the other hand, hindered (resting in an immovable position between the moved paper sheets) the transmitting movement of the platen on the paper, so that the various paper sheets do not move simultaneously together. This disadvantage was also manifest when additional paper guides were used, which necessitated an adjustment for each of the great number of makes of machines to which they would have to be fitted.

All these difliculties have been overcome by the present invention in view of the fact that on cylinder platen l, as shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 10, there is provided a tongue 2 whose ilxing point 3 on said cylinder is situated in front of the free tongue-endl,sothattheedgeidtheeopypaper sheet I can be put underneath the tonguecnd I, which sheet has to be t to and inserted between the additional ribbon 8 and cylinder platen i. Figs. 1, 9 and 10 show only one additional ribbon I and only one copy-paper sheet I, which has to be printed by said ribbon in the usual manner. Paper sheet I, however, will be printed as an original by ribbon iI. Finally, there is used a paper sheet II which is transparent. The additional ribbon I being usable for print on both surfaces thereof will cause, a positive print on sheet H seen from the side facing the typist.

Thus, it is necessary to insert the paper sheets 8 and H into the space between ribbons 8 and I0 and the sheet I in the space between ribbon 8 and platen I, so that at the insertion through the space between platen i and the usual paper guide i2 with feed-roller II no difliculties will be encountered.

This purpose is served by guiding tongue or flap 2 as mentioned above. This tongue 2 made of any flexible and relativelythin material and capable of substantially conforming to the arcuate surface of the roller platen l is secured to the latter at one end thereof and longitudinally therewith. Said secured end and the adjacent portion of said platen serve as a stop for paper sheet I It is only necessary that the free back-edge I of said copy-sheet I be inserted between free tongue-end 5 and platen I, while the remaining paper sheets 9 and II are inserted between the top surface of the tongue 5 and paper guide l2. If new the platen I is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow 4 (Figs. 10 and 11) for the purpose of the insertion-movement, the paper sheets I, 9 and H come simultaneously under the influence of the feed-roller or rollers It so that all sheets are 'moved forward simultaneously. By tongue 2 being connected with platen I along line 3 (for instance by glueing), and because tongue 2 possesses a certain stillness, the tendency of copysheet I to spread in a tangential direction to the inserted sheet has been entirely overcome. Thus, sheet 1 is compulsorily moved between ribbon l and platen l, as illustrated in Fig; 11. Tongue 2 has, as shown in Fig. 1, a somewhat trapezoid form. To lessen its weight and bulkiness, it may consist of paper, which can be stiffened according to circumstances. In case of newly manufactured typewriters, the platen I can be grooved or adjusted to the installation of tongue 2, so that the round form of the roller in no way is impaired.

In order to make the additional ribbon temporarily inactive, for instance in those cases in which said additional ribbon I is not; required, the following is provided:

On any suitable part of the sliding carriage ll in which the platen I is mounted for horizontal movement with respect to the fixed frame I of the typewriter, support It is installed, which carries a small knife-like sideshield H. In the present instance, sleeve It serves as fixing means for support it with the sliding caniage, on which the support is set up free of the-adjusting-scale iii of the sliding carriage ll. By means of a screw 20 the position of the sleeve. I0 is secured relatively to scale l9.

Fastening of the support in the aforesaid manner does not oiler the slightest dimculties and does not require any remodeling of the typewriter itself since suitable parts are provided on any make of typewriters so that the supplemen- On thefixed side-shields H which together with supports l and the fastening arrangement l8 and 28 are installed on both sides of the slidbon 8 slides.

ing carriage, sliders are provided which terminate in regulating handles 25. The sliders 25 with relation to the shields 11 are secured in position by two screws 21, 28, said screws being so installed that, their shafts may rest in the recesses 23, 24 or 22. The screws 21, 28 connect sliders 25 with U-pieces 28. The arm of U-piece 29 facing the slider 25 is provided with a-slotted ear 38.

Screws 3|, 32 .connect to U-piece 28 carrier 33 receiving parts of the auxiliary ribbon, for

guiding said ribbon alongside the platen. Rollers 34 are held in the upper and lower parts 35 and 35 of the carrier 33. Fixed to carrier 33 is the U-form rail 31 in which the auxiliary rib- The channel provided in the rail 31 embraces the lower edge 38 of said ribbon 8, which lower edge 38 is made somewhat larger or beaded, as clearly shown in Fig. 9, thus providing a thickening of the ribbon 8 thereat. This thickening or enlarged edge maintains ribbon 8 against change in its position relative to the rail 31 except for movement in a horizontal direction.

Keepers 48 made of metal are vertically arranged with respect to the additional ribbons and have relatively sharp edges. They are slotted and formed similar in shape to a tuning fork and, can be made unitary with the carrier 33.

-s, it is only necessary to introduce the covering ribbon (not shown) into the slot 43 of the keeper 48, so that the sharp edges'42 of the keepers press firmly against the covering ribbon (not shown) and keep it unmovably in position, so

that printing in negative on the original sheet which is located in front of the additional ribbon will be thereby avoided. The covering material may consist of a tissue-strip preferably unaffected by any coloring matter.

ribbon 8 is in its working position resting between platen I and paper guide l2. If the sliders 25 are moved downwards on the shields II, the ribbon 8 together with the carrying rail 31 will then enter deeper into the space between platen l and .paper guide 12; but the additional ribbon would still remain within the printing area of the keys.

To eliminate the effect of the additional ribbons it is necessary to move the sliders 25 and 25 upwards in the direction as shown in Fig. 6. By this operation and when the sliders in their upper position 25, 25 are moved parallel to themselves, so that the screw shafts 21, 28 disengage from the shorter bayonet slots 23, 24 and enter into the longer bayonet slot 22, the ribbon 8 takes the position as shown in Fig. '7. If, however, this control movement of the sliders 25, 25

(Fig. 7) comes to an end (until the position of the parts as in Fig. 8 is-reached), the ribbon 8 is completely inactive, as illustrated in Fig. 8.,

of an additional ribbon and its guiding rail 31, 38 would be a hindrance. In such case, the elimination of the auxiliary ribbon according to Figs. 3-8 has to be made. Fig. 9 shows the coordination of parts for the switch an arrangement in enlarged form. From this figure it is evident that the side of the U-piece 28 provided with the slot 38 is adjusted to the bow form of the platen, thus enabling by means of the arrangements 38, 3i and 32 to adjust the working position of knee or support i5, which is dependent on those parts of the paper slider l4 which may fasten the knee iii to the particular make of typewriter concerned.

The arrangement provided in accordance with this invention has the advantage that the additional ribbons do not necessarily move during the movements of the sliding carriage, so that the additional ribbons are always in the right position opposite the sliding carriage. However, the revolving of the spools together with each touch of the keys, simultaneously causes the longitudinal movement of the additional ribbons. During this latter movement, the additional ribbons are kept in unwrinkled. condition and 25 spools 44 and 45. ,Wound on said spools in. superposed relation are both the original ribbon l8 and the additional ribbon 8 as clearly seen in Fig. 1. 0

Both ribbons are fed in a manner identical with the feeding of the conventional original ribbon in a typewriter and their horizontal movement are not impeded by the guide means hereinafter described. To guide also the parts of the ribbon between guide 34 and spools 44, 45 resilient levers 45, 41 are provided. These levers, the springs of which tend to turn them in a direction indicated by arrow 54, are fixed on segments 55. Fastened to these segments are carriers upon which are mounted rollers 51'. The carriers 58 supporting rollers 58 for guiding the original ribbon l8 are provided on each typewriter so that only the additional rollers 58 have to be installed. These, however, can also be provided on special carriers constructed similar to carrier 55 and adjustably fixed on segment 55. The segment 55 has a hinged dog hook arm 5| running parallel to the axis of the spool (Fig. 2). This arm is adjustably guided in a fork 82 suspended inside the spools. Thus it is possible to install the segment 55 with allnecessary parts in any conventional spool-box.

As can now be understood all devices shown are independent of the particular make of typewriter to which they are to be applied; therefore, there is no difficulty encountered in providing any typewriter with additional ribbons. However, typewriters may be built incorporating these devices.

By the various means heretofore described, a wide range of variation or modification of characteristics may be had.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device'of the character described possessing the particular features or advantages before enumerated as desirable, but

which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle, involved or sacrificing any of its'advantages While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single embodiment, it

will be understood that various admissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is: a 4

1. In a typewriter having a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame a cylindrical platen on said carriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transport superposed between said rear ribbon and said platen, when said one paper sheet is inserted between said separating means and said platen while the friction rollers transport another paper sheet of said superposed sheets between said ribbons upon rotation of said platen.

2.In a typewriter having a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame, a cylindrical platen on said carriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transport superposed paper sheets between said platen and said rollers, a pair of spools rotatably mounted onsaid frame in spaced apart relation, atleast two ribbons wound in superposed relation on one of said spools; the combination of means to guide at least one of said ribbons in horizontal direction from said one to the other of said spools, and separating means fixed atone side on said platen, said guiding means including a part to maintain said one ribbon in position during its longitudinal travel, said separating means aiding in transporting one paper sheet, when said one-paper sheet is inserted between said separating means and said platen, between said one ribbonand said platen while the friction rollers transport another paper sheet of said superposed sheets between said ribbons upon rotation of said platen.

3. In a typewriter having a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame, a cylindrical platen on said carriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transport superposed paper sheets between said platen and said rollers, a pair of spools rotatably mounted on said frame in spaced apart relation, at least two ribbons wound in superposed relation on one of said spools; the combination of means to 'guide'said ribbons in spaced apart relation to the other of said spools, and means fixed at one side on said platen, said guiding means being positioned on said carriage and embracingly holding one of said ribbons at one edge thereof to permit its movement in horizontal direction, said means fixed on said platen aiding in transporting one paper sheet,

v areas upon rotation of the mm m. the mam rollers transport another paper sheet of'isaid superposed sheets between said ribbonse 4. In a typewriter-having a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame, a cylindrical platen on saidcarriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transportsuperposed paper sheets between'said platen and said rollers, a pair of spools rotatably mounted on said frame in spaced apart relation, at least two ribbons wound in superposed relation 'on one of. said spools; the combination of means to guide said ribbons in spaced apart relationfrom said one to the other of said spools, and separating means secured at one side to-said platen, said first means 'includinga part positioned adjacent and along said platen to maintain one of said ribbonsin position, and to separate said one ribbon from the other of-said ribbons, when said ribbons are advanced along said platen, said secondmeanl aiding in transporting one paper sheet between said one ribbon and said platen, when inserted wound vin superposed relation on one of said spools; channel means adjacent said platen for longitudinally carrying one of said ribbons at the bottom edge thereof, when said ribbons are moved from said one to the other of said spools, and means fixed on said platen aiding in transporting one paper sheet, when inserted between said latter means and said platen, between said channel between said second means and said platen, upon means and said platen upon rotation of said platen while the friction rollers transport another paper sheet of said' superposed sheets between said ribbons.

6. In a typewriter having 'a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame, a cylindrical platen on said carriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transport superposed paper sheets between said platen and saidrollers, a pair of spools rotatably mounted on said frame in' spaced apart relation, at least two ribbons wound in superposed relation on one of said spools; in combination means to guide said ribbons in spaced apart relation from said one to the other of said spools, said means including a displaceable channeled member adjacent said platen longitudinally carrying one of said ribbons at the bottom edge thereof, and separating means on said platen adapted to move one paper sheet, when inserted between said separating means and said platen, between said platen and said channeled member upon rotation of said platen while the friction rollers transport another paper sheet of said superposed sheets between said ribbons, said channeled member being adapted to be moved out of printing position.

"I. In combination with a typewriter having a frame, a carriage longitudinally movable on said frame, a cylindrical platen mounted on said carriage, friction rollers cooperating with said platen to transport superposed paper sheets between said platen and said rollers, a pair of spools rotatably mounted on said frame in spaced apart relation,

, a plurality of inking ribbons wound in superposed .secured at one side to the platen, said first means being positioned on the carriage adjacent said platen, said second means aiding in transporting one paper sheet, when inserted between said second means and said platen, between said one ribbon and said platen upon rotation of said platen while the friction rollers transport another paper sheet of said superposed sheets between said ribbons.

ERIC LOEWENSTEIN. 

